'Connected' Review: A Detailed Story of Decades of Friendship
- Romey Norton
- Jun 2
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - May 30, 2025
What happens when two lives cross paths at a pivotal moment in history, and stay connected through decades of change, challenge, and quiet defiance? Connected, directed by Vera Krichevskaya, explores that question with care and emotional depth. More than a documentary about business or politics, this is a moving portrait of friendship, conviction, and the ripple effects of standing up for what you believe in.
What is 'Connected' about?
At the centre of the film are Dmitry Zimin and Augie Fabela, friends, business partners, and co-founders of Russia’s first company on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Connected uses their 30-year friendship story as a gateway to discuss how people evolve, how relationships endure, and how principles can shape a legacy.
Zimin decides to end his life on his terms, following a long illness with Cancer and losing his memory. It’s handled with sensitivity, neither romanticised nor hidden, but supported, and this documentary serves as his final bow on stage. As Zimin and Fabela travel together one final time, their friendship takes centre stage, offering a quiet reminder of the strength found in mutual respect and unwavering support. As they embark on this journey, they look back at their lives together, everything they have witnessed, and what they have learned.
Zimin’s transformation from a celebrated scientist to a philanthropist openly critical of Russia’s direction is quietly radical. As political tensions rise, we watch him double down on his commitment to civil society, education, and human rights. Fabela becomes both a companion and witness on this journey, as the world around them changes and crumbles, their friendship only strengthens.
Like most documentaries, we’re told a story through old photographs, archival footage, re-tracing steps in real-world places, and first-class interviews. All supported by a voice-over guiding us through the documentary, the history, and filling in gaps to help move time along.
The interviews are all in comfortable settings, where everyone looks relaxed and at ease. It might go without saying, but you will need subtitles to watch this, as they all speak in Russian. The voiceover is in English, however. There are some fun editing sections where interviews from the past are presented on a retro TV screen with the dates next to them.
For those of you wondering, some clips and sections do feature the Russian President Putin; their involvement with him and their opinions on him and his leadership, and how the war will affect their business and lives.
As the documentary comes to a close, we learn how the business they spent their lives building can no longer operate in a global capacity due to the war breaking out between Russia and Ukraine. Zimin’s health deteriorates to where he can’t sign his name anymore, and he wishes his friend goodbye. There is a goodbye photo, which is quite sad and haunting. While their lives and friendship had so much going on, Zimin’s choice to die shows us how fleeting life really is.
Is 'Connected' worth watching?
Yes — Connected is an engaging, interesting, and personal story. At a time when so much feels divided, Connected is a testament to the power of holding on to shared humanity. It’s suitable for history buffs and for people who enjoy a lot of deep conversations.
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